Garment hanger for trousers, coats, etc.



Jan. 15, 1957 N. E. BROOKE GARMENT HANGER FOR TROUSERS, COATS, ETC

Filed Dec. 22, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGS.

26 jvgn 7 0 Norman E. Brooke Jan. 15, 1957 N. E. BROOKE GARMENT HANGER FOR TROUSERS, COATS, ETC

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Filed Dec. 22, 1954 177mm for man E.Brooke ,/w%%fl ATTY.

Jan. 15, 1957 N. E. BROOKE 2,777,620

GARMENT HANGER FOR TROUSERS, COATS, ETC

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Norman Edward Brooke, Washington, D. C.

Application Dece'rnher'22f1954, Serial No. 476,870

22 Claims. (Cl. 223 91) This invention relates generally to the class of apparel apparatus and is directed particularly to improvements in hangers for mens trousers, coats, Womens skirts, coats, dresses and other garments.

The majority of supports or hangers for mens trousers, womens skirts and the like embody a pair of co-operating .jaw members between which the ends of the trousers or the waistband of the skirt are gripped. These jaws are usually connected with two legs which are in turn joined to some type of means for suspending the hanger and extend in divergent relation from such means. The legs are resilient, or of springy material, and are so biased as to normally separate, or move the jaws apart. In order to force the jaws together, in opposition to the action of the resilient legs, to grip a garment, the conventionally employed means comprises a slip ring or link, which encircles or slidably engages the resilient legs and when slid down thereon toward the divergent ends thereof and toward the jaws draws the divergent ends of the legs together, placing the legs under tension. A common and annoying fault of hangers of this character is that the slip ring or link will not stay in position when slid down on the legs to draw the jaws together into gripping engagement with the cults of trousers, or the waist-band of a skirt, located therebetween. The legs are normally divergent towards the jaws, as stated, and when a garment is gripped between the jaws, the separated ends of the legs cannot be drawn closely together and they therefore exert a camming action on the slip ring or link causing it to slip up and thus permit the jaws to lose their grip on the garment. Attempts have been made to overcome this drawback by roughening, or toothing the outer sides of the spring legs but this has only provided a temporary relief since the roughened surface, or the teeth, soon wears smooth; and defeats the purpose for which they are provided.

In the light of the foregoing, a particular object of .the .present invention is to provide a hanger employing co-operative resilient, or spring, legs, connected together at one end and carrying coacting gripping jaws, wherein such legs are of new and novel form whereby when drawn together by a sliding coupling element, such as a slip ring or link, the reverse sliding movement of the coupling element is positively prevented from occurring accidentally, but, at the same time, such reverse movement of the coupling element may be instigated without difiiculty when it is desired to open the jaws for release of a garment held therebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment hanger of the character stated wherein one of the said pair of spring legs is sprung, or flexed to a greater extent than the other in the closing of the jaws by the slide member and said one leg is contoured in a novel manner to retain the slide member against reverse movement when the jaws are closed.

Men's suits are at the present time made with anextra pair of trousers "and therefore two hangers are required, when the suits are stored, to support the trousers. Hangice ers of conventional type are adapted to support one pair of trousers each but sometimes it is possible to secure two pairs by the cults, between the jaws although this puts an extra strain on the fastening element which draws together the legs which carry the jaws so that the fastening element, or slide, is all the more liable to slip and cause the jaws to release the garments. However, even if this does not occur, it is not possible to remove one pair of the trousers without releasing the other. It is then necessary to resecure one pair while holding the other.

It is accordingly, a further object of the present invention to provide a new hanger having two independent gripping means in the form of side by side jaws, which is designed so that either jaw may be opened easily for the release of a garment held thereby without disturbing the holding action of the adjacent jaw on another garment.

A further object is to provide a double grip hanger as above described, wherein one jaw element is common to two grippers, and wherein either of the two grippers may be manipulated to secure or release a garment Without disturbing'the other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a multiple grip hanger wherein three jaw elements are provided, one being a middle element co-operating with the other two elements to provide two grippers embody ing three jaws and wherein a suspending or hanging means is attached to the middle jaw element and means of a new and novel character is provided to effect the drawing of either of the outer jaw elements towards and in gripping relation with the middle element.

in the use of the conventional coat hanger which, as made of wire, or wood, comprises a horizontal bar having two upwardly converging bars extending from its ends and terminating in a hook, for suspending a coat and trousers, the usual practice is to hang the trousers across the bar and then drape the coat on the hanger over the trousers. If under these conditions it is desired to remove the trousers only this cannot be accomplished without pulling and dragging on the same, in order to get them out from under the coat or else the coat must first be removed and then replaced. In addition, if the trousers stay for any length of time folded over the bar in this manner, when they are taken off for use, each trouser leg has a definite crease thereacross. Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a new and novel combination of coat and trousers hanger wherein the trousers may be so suspended by the cuffs, within a coat supported on the hanger, that the trousers may be released and removed from under the coat without disturbing the latter and without .mussing the trousers.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel combined coat and trousers hanger wherein the above referred to bar portion of the coat hanger forms an element of the clamps, or grippers, of the trousers securing and suspending means.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and :novel combined coat andtrousers hanger wherein a novel means is provided for supporting moth reellent material in such a way as to maintain such material within a 'coat on the hanger and in close proximity to one or two pairs of trousers suspended from the cuff gripping means positionedinside of the said coat.

Among other novel features of the invention are, a new and novel arrangement, or assembly, of spring ele ments connected betwe'ena supporting hook and clamping jaws forming elements of clamps or grippers; anew and novel association in fa garment hanger of the charaoter herein described, of :a suspension hook, a bar element functioning as a dual jaw element and coacting pairs V e I 7 2,777,620

3 of spring legs one of which legs of each pair is connected between the suspensionhook'and the .dual jaw element while the other carries a jaw element and is adapted to be flexed by a locking ring, or link, to move the jaw element carried thereby relative to the dual jaw element; a new and novel means of associating and se curing together certain parts where the device in one embodiment may be fashioned of metal whereby the use of fastening elements, such as screws, rivets, bolts or the like, is reduced to a minimum, and a new and novel means offastening parts together with minimum of fastening devices where, in another embodiment parts of the device may be made of wood for economy and to produce an article which may be inexpensively marketed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention in its several embodiments will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understanding that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed and/or modified within the scope of the appended claims.

' 'In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in perspective of a trousers hanger constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken in a vertical plane perpendicular to the clamping jaws and on one side of the securing spring legs and showing one jaw closed and another jaw open and showing in dotted lines the cooperative flexing action of two jaws when shifting the slip ring to open or close two jaws.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail showing the manner of securing an end of one side of the suspension means to the center jaw bar.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view looking at the underside of the center jaw bar showing a securing tongue bent to final position.

Figure '6 illustrates another method of securing an end of one side of the suspension means to the center jaw bar.

Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of applying the invention to the use of wire material, a portion only of the jaw elements being shown.

' Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail illustrating a preferred manner of shaping the wire elements to form bolt eyes.'

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of another application of the invention to a new and novel combined coat 7 and trousers hanger.

. of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary detail showing the connection between the end of an intermediate connector and an auxiliary hanger bar.

Figure 15 is a view in side elevation of a further embodiment of the invention showing another coat hanger arrangement.

Figure 16 is a sectional view takenin the transverse vertical plane indicated by the section line 16-16 on Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a horizontal section taken on the line 17-17 of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the dual jaw bar of the embodiment of Figure 15.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the description will first be directed to the invention as embodied in a trousers hanger only.

In Figures 1 to 6, the numeral 10 generally designates a trousers hanger constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and wherein the same is formed of a suitable metal such as steel, aluminum or the like, or of a suitable plastic or any other desired material.

In the structure illustrated in the figures referred to there is provided an elongated central bar body 12, which constitutes a dual jaw member for two clamps or grippers, each of which is designated 14.

The body 12 is preferably of channel form as shown, comprising the top Wall 16, andthe longitudinal side jaw flanges 18, each of which has its bottom edge bordered by an inturned edge flange 20.

For the hanging or suspension of the hanger there is provided the hook head 21, which is joined to the bar 12 by spaced connectors or intermediate members 22. This means for supporting the hanger is shown in this embodiment as comprised of a suitable length of strip, or band, metal or other material of satisfactory character, which is bent upon itself midway of its ends, as at 23, and then formed in the hook, in double thickness as at 24. Between the hook and the intermediate members are the short straight portions 25, each of which is continuous at its lower end with the substantially right angular shoulder 26, which joins the top or upper end of a long intermediate member 22. These members 22 form a high arch above the center of the bar 12, the shoulder portions 26 thereof extending in opposite directions, each in the direction of the length of the bar 12. The members preferably are in divergent relation toward the free or lower ends which are secured to the top 16 of the bar.

In this embodiment the lower ends of the members are each formed to provide a tongue 27, of'reduced width which is extended through a slot 28 in the top wall 16 of the bar 12, and then bent to lie against the underside of the wall 16, as shown in Figure 5.

An alternative method of securing the ends of the members 22 to the bar is shown in Figure 6, where the intermediate member designated 22a, has a portion 27a, bent at right angles and bearing upon the top of the top wall 160' of the bar 14a, where it is secured at 29 as by a rivet, screw or weld.

Connected with the top part of the yoke formed by the two intermediate members or connectors 22, and extending down between the same, is the spring leg unit, generally designated 30, which controls the relative movements of the jaws of the dual clamps or grippers.

As previously stated the bar 12 acts in the capacity of two jaws, each side flange 18, thereof, constituting one jaw. These may be defined as stationary jaws while at the outer side of each and coacting therewith is an outer or movable jaw 31. Each movable jaw is of approximately the same length as the bar 12, or the stationary jaw forming flange 18, or it may be shorter, if desired, as in the hereinafter described other embodiment of the invention.

Each movable jaw is in the form of a flat strip or bar of metal, or other suitable material, and is slightly bowed outwardly midway between its ends as at 19a, so as to allowfor seam thickness in the material of the cuffs of trousers when the cuffs are gripped between the jaws.

The unit 30 comprises two nested parts, each of a good quality spring steel shown in this embodiment as being in the form of a ribbon or strip, the inner part being designated 31 and the outer part 32.

The strip or ribbon of substantial initial or required length, forming the inner part 31, is bent intermediate its ends to form the loop or open eye 33 and the two legs 34. V

The strip, or ribbon, forming the outer part 32, having an initial length approximately the same as the part 31, is likewise transversely 'bent midway of its ends to form a loop,-or open eye, -35, which is of a size to enclose the loop or eye 33, as shown, and the two legs 36, each of which lies upon the outer side of a leg 34.

When assembled in the hangen'the spring leg unit 30 is positioned with the two nested loops, or open eyes, between the two portions 25 and these portions have suitable aligned apertures for the receptionof a bolt, pin or screw 37, which passes through the nested loops and secures the same in the top part of the yoke.

The legs 34, extend straight down to and somewhat loosely throughslots or openings 38, in the top of the bar 12, and are thus held against lateral swinging movement, but being of spring metal and having their lower ends free in the slots 38, they have some slight spring bowing movement for coaction with the adjacent outer leg. They may be identified as non-swinging legs.

The outer swinging legs 36 are secured, each at its lower, or free, end to the middle portion of a movable jaw 30 which it supports for in and out swinging movement relative to the stationary jaw comprised in the adjacent flange 13. Each outer leg 36 and the adjacent nonswinging leg 34, with which it cooperates in the manner hereinafter described, forms a working pair.

Each of the swinging spring legs is of a unique shape which facilitates the accomplishment of the desired objects. As shown the upper end of each leg 36 curves outwardly from the loop, or open eye, for a short extent as at a and then bends'back to form a shoulder b, from which there extends down the relatively long straight portion c. The lower end of this long portion 0 is joined to a shorter terminal portion d by an incurved part forming a knee 2. This incurved knee slightly insets the terminal portion from the longer portion 0, and the terminal portion is secured to the adjacent jaw 31 by rivets, welding or any other suitable manner, as shown.

The open-spring eye, or loop 35, connecting the legs 36 of the outer part of the spring unit is biased so that the 'legs 36, tend constantly to swing apart to have a divergent relation when free. Accordingly, also, the legs of each pair, comprising a leg 36, and the adjacent leg 34, have a downwardly divergent relation when the jaws of each coacting pair are separated. In this divergent relation, however, in the separated jaws as well as when the jaws are together, the inner leg 34, of the pair, remains approximately straight or slightly outwardly bowed and the outer leg 36 slopes outwardly and downwardly.

Each pair of legs 3436 is encircled by a slide 39 which is in the form of a substantially rectangular collar, band or the like, having the long sides 40, connected by the end walls 41. The latter walls engage one against the inner side of the inner leg 34 and the other against the outer side of the coacting swinging leg 36.

The sides 40 of each slide are bowed inward slightly, as indicated at 42, to facilitate grasping-the slide between the fingers and also to restrain any tendency for the slide to turn when in its upper position on the legs.

The length of each slide is so calculated that when it is slid down on its pair of legs 3436 to the lowermost position where itwill be just below the knee 2 of the outer, or swingable leg 36, the movable jaw 31, to which the leg 36 is attached,'w ill be firmly pressed at its end portions against the opposing stationary jaw or bar flange 18, whereby to firmly grip a garment therebetween.

In the movement of the slide 40 up or down, as it startsto ride over the knee e of the outer leg 36, it'will not pass freely due to the fact that the length of the slide -is slightly-less than the distance between'the outer side of the knee and the inner side of the coacting inner leg.

It must then be forced past the knee and this will cause a slightinward'fiexing of the outer leg and a slight outbowing of the inner leg and during this action the-outer or. swinging jaw will be pressed tightly against the inner orstationary jaw; Afterthe slide passes the knee in its 15 downward movement, onto the lower terminal portion d,

by felt facings 43, covering all or part of the grippingface of each jaw.

it will be readily seen that whenthe slide 39 has been moved down to where the outer end is below the knee e of the movable leg 36, and is in engagement ith the short straight terminal portions d, it cannot accidentally slip upwards but can onlybe so moved bya positive thrust. However, this may be easily accomplishedby the use of the thumb while holding the jaws in the hand with the fingers on the opposite side of the hanger from the slide, against which the thumb is pressed. 5

Also, as above stated, due to the yielding, or resilient, character of the movable leg 36, the leg will yield at the knee 2, to let the slide pass thereover, and after passing onto the long sloping portion c, the slide will move easily upward. When the slide reaches the top of the leg 36, the outer end will ride over the shoulder b, onto the top part a and hang until ready for reuse.

The slide 39 has been illustrated as being formed of band material of substantial width and while this is preferred, it may, nevertheless, be made of round wire material or material of any other character or form suitable to perform the desired function. This applies also to the other parts such as the members 22, and the resilient legs 34 and 35. While the flat ribbon-like form of the spring or resilient legs is preferred, use could bemade, with satisfactory results, of material of round or square cross section.

Other methods mayalso be employed for-connecting the lower ends of the spring legs with the movable jaws.

As an example of the other methods referred to, a modified embodiment of the hanger is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, where .themiddle, dual jaw bar, generally designated 45, is formed of wood. and the movable jaws 46 are also formed of wood.

In this embodiment the general formof the suspension means and of the spring leg unit is the same as in the previously described structure but these parts .are illustrated as fashioned from wire stock of suitablegage and resiliency and are connected to the jaw bar45, and jaws 4 6, in a manner which makes possible the more economical production of the hanger.

The suspension means of this modification comprises the hook 47, with which are connected the spaced, intermediate connectors 48, which extend in divergent relation toward the bar 45 and have their lowerv ends secured to the bar 45, by a short angled terminal. portion 49, pressed or forced into a suitable aperture 50,'formedin the bar at an oblique angle to the top face thereof, as shown. y

The spring leg unit is here designated generally by the numeral 51. No detailed description of this is believed necessary as it is of the same construction asthe unit 30, in that it embodies the inner legs.52, formed of one piece of material and the outer swinging legs'53, also formed in one piece of material but these parts are represented as formed of spring wire. The lower ends of the inner legs are inserted into openings at 54, in the har 45, while the lower ends of the movable oriswingmg legs may have the obtusely angled terminal portions 55, fixed in openings at 56, in the jaws 46.

As shown,.the hook 47, and intermediate ,connectors 48 e f e ed f afii en t L if-He th. or suitable, gage to have the necessary strength and each and trousers hanger.

thereon.

connector at its upperend is'coiled in at least two convolutions to produce a bolt eye 48a, one convolution of each eye extending upward-and here shown as being I joined to the extended convolution of the other eye by twisting the extensions together as indicated at 48b, forming a stifi shank between the hook 47, and the eyes. While the extensions of the inner convolutions forming the eyes have been shown twisted together, these may be continued straight up in side by side relation if preferred.

.Abolt 51a, extending through the eyes 48a, which are in axial alignment, serves, like the bolt 37, to secure the looped, or eyed,nested upper ends of the spring legs 52, and 53 in position between the eyes 48a, as will be readily seen. Figures 9 to 14 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, wherein elements of the trousers hanger are modified in a Way to provide a combined cost hanger In this structure the hanger for a coat, shirt or the like is generally designated 57, and the trousers hanger part of the structure is generally designated 58. V V

Provision may. also be made in this combined structure for carrying a moth repellent or preventive, as here,- inafter set forth. a

In the combined structure the suspending hook'59, comprises a length of strap material of suitable character such as aluminum, steel, plastic or the like, folded or bent upon itself to form the hook and providing the two short shanks 60, arranged in spaced relation and terminating in the oppositely directed feet 61.

The numeral 62, designates the bar providing, by. its two sides 63, the stationary jaws, each of which cooperates with a movable jaw 64.

The numeral 65 designates the intermediate connectors between the hook 59, and the bar 62, corresponding to the members 22. In this construction, however, the two members are joined, or may be formed in one piece, as shown, providing the relatively long, outwardly and downwardly sloping portions 65a, joining thestraight, downwardly extending side portions 65b, each of which is joined to an end of the bar in a suitable manner. The two connectors'fiS, accordingly, form an elongated arch over and extending lengthwise of the bar '62, andthe center and high part of the arch is straight as indicated at 66, and has the foot portions 61, of the shanks 60, resting thereon and secured thereto as by rivets 67, or in anywother suitable manner.

,The straight side portions 65b, may terminate at the ends of the bar 62, or they may be extended below the bar 62, in the manner shown to connect with the end of and support a lower auxiliary bar 620. This latter'bar is preferably arcuate in cross section and positioned with its convex side up and a cover or pad 62b, of felt or the like, is applied thereon, toextend the major portion of the length and width thereof.

-Any suitable means for joining the ends of the auxiliarybar 62b, to the side portions 651;, may be employed. Then-leans here shown comprises a tongue 62c, forming an extension of each portion 65b, lying beneath the adjacent end of the bar 62a, and secured thereto by a bolt, screw, rivet or the like, as indicated at 65c.

The auxiliary bar 62a, maybe used for quickly hanging a pair of trousers temporarily or for hanging other articles, such as neck ties or the like, and the felt pad or cover, prevents the articles from sliding off.

The members are formed of a relatively wide material which has a convex cross section as shown in Figure 13, whereby a coat, shirt or the like may be smoothly hung In the straight portion 66 an opening 68 is provided through which are extended the nested looped, or eyed ends, or heads, 69, and 70, of the two sets of spring legs forming the spring unit 71, and through these looped or eyedfendsga pin, riyet or' bolt,"72, passes and also in the hanger of Figure 1.

The dualjaw bar 62may be ofw-solid material such as wood, orit may be of tubular form and square in cross section as shown. Preferably it is hollow, and of square cross sectionand adjacent to one end, the top wall 63a, is provided with an inlet opening 73, whereby moth balls 1 (not shown) or moth repellent in any other form, may

be introduced, the hollow bar thus functioning as a receptacle for such material and to permit the free disseminations of the vapors or fumes, the top wall 63a, may

' be provided therealong with apertures 74.

To close the opening 73, a closure band encircles the bar and is slidable to uncover or cover the opening.

The spring unit in this combined structure is of, the

same form as the previously described units. It will thus be apparent, that one design of spring unit may be employed in any embodiment of the invention.

The legs 76 of the inner part of the unit, have their lower ends engaged in slots or openings 77, in the top wall 63a, of the bar, while the lower ends of the swinging legs 78, of the outer portion of the unit are each fixed in a suitable manner to a movable jaw 64, as at 79. g

The opening and closing of the jaws is eifected by means of the sliding links 80, which are of the same form as the links 39, previously described.

While in the combined coat and trousers hanger the two members 65, have been shown and described as comprising a single piece of material forming an arch construction to the middle top portion 66, of which the hook 59 is secured, such members may also be made in one piece with the hook, as the members 22, are in one piece with the book 21, of the structure shown in Figure 1.

invention wherein there is combined with'the trousers hanger of Figure i, a novel support or hanger for a light garment such as a shirt, or the like.

'On many occasions a dress shirt is taken off after a short Wearing and laid aside to be worn again, as it may not be ready for the laundry, but, being slightly mus'sed, and having been unfolded from the original condition, the return of it to the dresser drawer would not be desirable. I

The embodiment about to be described provides a convenient means for hanging a shirt or other such-like light garment and for hanging a pair of trousers while a shirt or other such-like light garment, is on the hanger, or

removing the trousers, without disturbing the other garment, by simply turning the hanger .on its side, to thereby swing the element supporting thefothe r garment so as to move the latter out of the way.

As shown, this shirt and trouser support combination, comprises a trousers hanger generally designated 80, which is of the same general construction as the hanger of Figure 1, with the exception that the middle, or dual jaw bar 81, is here shown as made solid, of a suitable material such as wood, plastic or the like.

The suspension hook is generally designated 82,.and embodies the downwardly divergent connecting members 83, joining it with the bar 81.

Between the members 83, is the spring leg unit 84, which includes the inner portion having the legs '85, and

the outer portiophaving the swinging legs 86, to the lower ends of which latter legs 86 .are secured the movable jaws 87.

The lower ends of the side members 83 may besecured 7 to this bar 81, in any one of a number-ofdifiercntsatisfactory ways, the preferred one being where the bar is solid as shown, by the provision of slots 88, inthe' top of the bar into which the angled lower end portions -89 of the members 83, are inserted.

These leg portions 89, may each have a notch formed therein as at 9%) and when the slots are filled with a suitable cement 91 after a leg portion has been inserted therein, the cement will enter the notch to firmly secure the leg to the bar.

The lower ends of the inner legs 85 are inserted in slots 92 in the bar 81, as shown in Figure 16.

For the support of a garment on the hanger 80, such as a shirt or such-like, light garment, there is provided the long, round wire or bar 93, which is extended through openings 94 formed through the members 83 in the upper end portions thereof. This bar 93, is bent to form a long are 95, through the major part of its length and then curves sharply down through a short terminal portion as at 96, which terminal portion lies beyond the adjacent end of the bar 81.

The bar 93 is free to turn or rock in the openings 94 so that the curved ends 96 will always hang down whether the trousers hanger is held upright or turned on'one side.

In order to prevent the bar 93 from sliding through the openings 1- to keep it centered, the bar is provided upon the inner side of each member '83, with a raised or struck-up lug 97, the function of which will be eadiiy obvious.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is pro vided by the present invention a garment hanger embodying a number of new and novel features, a principal one being the spring legs and slides whereby the relative movements of coacting jaws are effected and whereby, also, such coacting jaws function efficiently to grip and hold without slipping trousers ends, or portions of other garments such as skirt waist bands and the like, whether the material is thin or thick.

Other new and novel features reside in the manner of forming the suspension hook and downwardly diverging extensions connected to the dual jaw bar; the novel combined coat and trousers hangers; the novel manner of securing the nested upper ends of the spring leg elements to the suspension hook and between the latter and the dual jaw bar; the provision of the dual jaw in the hollow form to receive moth repellent in the form of moth balls or the like; the new and novel manner of fashioning the parts of the hook, the extensions thereof and the spring legs of spring wire, and in the provision of the oscillating wire arch for supporting a light weight garment such as a shirt or the like, over the gripping jaws.

While the gripping jaws of the hanger in any one of the embodiments may be closed in a tight grip on an article, whether it be thin or thick, so as to hold it without slipping, due to the novel formation of the outer or swinging spring legs and to the cooperative flexing action of both legs of a pair, at the same time, the opening and closing of the jaws may be eflected with slight effort, it being possible to accomplish this with one hand while the hanger is suspended from a support.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A garment hanger comprising a bar element constituting one jaw, a pair of elongated members attached to said bar element and rising in upwardly convergent relation thereabove, suspension means connected with and extending above said convergent members substantially midway of the ends of the bar element, a pair of leg members distinct from the elongated members and connected with the suspension means and extending down between the elongated members, one leg member being coupled at its lower end to the bar element, the other leg member being of spring character and biased to spring laterally from the bar element, a jaw member carried by said other leg, and means slidable on and encircling only the leg members and adapted when slid in one direction thereon to flex said other leg member in a direction to 10 move-the-jaw member into gripping relation with the bar element; a

2'. A gripping garment hanger comprising two elongated juxtaposed "jaw members, means connected with one jaw member for suspending the hanger, a pair of spring legs fixedly secured to said suspending means and extending in divergent relation therefrom toward the jaw members, one of said legs being coupled to said one jaw member, the other of said legs being attached to the other jaw member and spring biased to swing said other jaw member outward away from the said one jaw member, and means slidably engaged with and coupling said spring leg members to flex only the said other leg member inward to bring the jaws together when slid downward on the legs.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the said other of said legs carries an outwardly directed means adapted to oppose the upward movement of the slidable means when the latter is in position to maintain said jaws together.

4. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the said other of said legs is formed with an inwardly and downwardly curving lower end portion leading directly to the said other jaw member to which it is attached and forming an outwardly bowed knee adapted to oppose upward movement of the slidable means when the latter is in position below the knee to maintain said jaws together.

5. A garment hanger comprising two elongated juxtaposed jaw members, means for engaging the hanger on a support for suspension, a pair of intermediate members connected between said means and one jaw member, said intermediate members extending upward from said one jaw member, a pair of spring legs, means connecting said legs together at one end and also securing said connected ends to said first means, said legs being spaced apart in a direction transversely of the jaws and in a plane passing between said intermediate members, one of said legs constituting an inner leg and having its lower end coupled with said one jaw member, the other and outer leg being spring biased to normally swing outwardly and having its lower end secured to the other jaw member, a slide coupling between said legs which is adapted to flex the said outer leg inwardly to move the jaws to closing relation when it is slid down on the legsto a predetermined position, and means for preventing the accidental reverse movement of the slide after it is in said predetermined position.

6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the said coupling between the inner leg and said one jaw member is a loose coupling permitting outward bowing of the inner leg during movement of the slide in up or down direction past the last named means.

7. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the said outer leg .has a downwardly divergent relation with the inner leg and further has an inwardly and downwardly curving lower end portion, and said last means constitutes an outjutting knee at the upper end of said curving lower end portion:

8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the said coupling between the lower end of said inner leg and said one jaw member is a loose coupling permitting outward bowing of the inner leg during passage of said slide across said knee in its up or down movement.

9. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the outer leg is formed to provide an outwardly jutting shoulder at its top end onto which the slide rides and up on which it is retained when in its uppermost position on the legs.

10. A hanger comprising an elongate bar having opposite longitudinal faces providing dual jaws, suspension means comprising a hook and a pair of intermediate connector members between the hook and the bar and spaced apart lengthwise of the bar, the last members having end portions secured to the bar, a spring unit comprising inner and outer parts, said inner part comprising 11 two spring legs joined in a loop at one'end, said outer part comprising two spring legs joined in a loop at one end, the loop of the inner part being nested in the loop of the outer part, said spring unit being disposed between said intermediate connector members with the legs of the parts spaced apart in a direction extending transversely of the bar, means securing the nested looped ends of the spring parts to the hook, means coupling the ends of the inner part with the bar, an outer jaw carried by each leg of the outer part in position for coaction with one of said dual jaws, said outer part being spring biased to have each leg constantly tending to swing out away from the adjacent leg of the inner part, shiftable means coupling each inner leg with the adjacent outer leg whereby the outer leg may be flexed inwardly to jaw closing position, and means for J retaining the shiftable means in jaw closing position.

11'. The invention according to claim 10, wherein said hook and intermediate connector members constitute a single piece of material bent intermediate its ends whereby the hook is of double thickness and has two spaced shank portions connecting it with said intermediate members, and said nested loops of the spring parts are secured between said shanks. 7

12. The invention according to claim 10, wherein the shiftable means and the last stated means comprise'a slide link encircling and coupling the said legs together and means carried by one of the two legs coupled by the link adapted to oppose reverse sliding movement of the slide after the slide has been moved into jaw closing position.

13. The invention according to claim 10, wherein said hook includes two spaced shank portions, said nested loops of the spring parts being disposed between said shank portions, and the said means securing the nested looped ends comprising a pin-like element in the form of a bolt, rivet or the like connecting said shank portions and passing through said nested looped ends.

14. The invention according to claim 10, wherein each leg of said outer spring part is formed to have a short outwardly and downwardly sloping shoulder at its upper end joining a relatively long downwardly and outwardly sloping intermediate portion and a relatively short lower terminal portion inset with respect to the intermediate portion whereby there is'formed an out-jutting knee, said knee constituting the said means for retaining the shiftable means in jaw closing position.

15. The invention according to claim 10, wherein the said bar is of greater length than the outer jawsand the said intermediate connector membersare secured to the ends of the bar and have between the hook and said ends of the bar an outwardly and downwardly curving form to provide a coat hanger.

16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein said bar'is hollow and has an opening leading thereinto to facilitate the introduction therein of a vaporizable moth preventive, said bar further having vents for the escape of vapors, and means for closing said opening.

17. The invention according to claim 10, with means operatively connected with the hook providing a support over which acoatmay be draped above and in enveloping relation with the bar and outer jaws.

18. The invention accordingto claim 17, wherein the member being free of connection at its ends with the bar.

20. The invention according to claim 17,.wherein said" 1 elongate arcuate member comprises a length of round wire stock and the mounting for the arcuate'member comprises guide apertures formed through the said intermedi ate connector members through which the said arcuate member extends and in which it is free to turn, means being carried by said arcuate member for preventing its longitudinal movement through said apertures and said arcuate member being free of connection at its ends with the bar.

21. A garment hanger comprising two juxtaposed cooperating gripping jaws, a pair of elongate suspension members spaced apart in the direction of the length of and secured to one jaw and extending outwardly therefrom, said suspension members being coupled together at their outer ends, means coupled to said outer ends facilitating the suspension of the hanger, a pair of spaced apart elongate leg members each fixedly attached at one end to the coupled ends of said suspension members, said pair of elongate leg members diverging away from their fixed ends and lying in a plane passing substantially midway between the suspension members and'approximately perpendicular to the jaws, one of said leg members having its other end connected to said one jaw, the other one of said leg members having its other end secured to the other jaw and having a resilient portionfunctioning to constantly urge said other end thereof and said otheraway from said one jaw, and means for drawing the said other end of the said other one of the leg 1 members and the jaw secured thereto inwardly toward jaw outwardly the said oneljaw.

22. The invention as defined by claim 21-, wherein the. ,said other one of the leg members is bent inwardly at a point a substantial distance above its other end and continues from said bend in a wide sweeping unbroken down-1 ward bow to the jaw to which it is connected, and saidmeans comprising a slide member encircling the two leg members and said bend forming a movement restricting knee for the slide member when it is below the knee to prevent the slide member from slipping up when the jaws are closed. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 696,940 Cazier Apr. 8, 1902 756,588 Coney et al. Apr. 5, 1904 1,047,295 Riedl Dec. 17, 1912 11,876,139 Feldman .Sept. 6, 1932 Baer Mar. 1, 1949 

